Florida Pizzeria closed for 14 Violations- Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands

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If Mangia & Bevi Pizzeria Napoletana in Weston has been on your radar, you might want to know about some recent hiccups they’ve encountered. The pizzeria was ordered to close on July 29, and here’s what the health inspectors found:

What Went Wrong:

• Roach Problem: Inspectors discovered 6 live roaches on a storage rack in the kitchen’s dishwasher and prepping area. Not exactly the kind of topping you want on your pizza!
• Improper Food Thawing: Packages of cheese were found thawing at room temperature, which is a big no-no. Thawing food this way can lead to bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses.
• Temperature Control Issues: A “Stop Sale” was issued due to food temperature abuse. Various items in the pizza station cooler, like ham, grilled peppers, sausage, Brussels sprouts, and tomato sauce, were being kept at 47°F, well above the safe temperature of 41°F. The operator mentioned that these items had been out of temperature for over 4 hours. That’s definitely a concern for food safety.
• Dishwasher Problems: The dish machine’s chlorine sanitizer wasn’t at the required strength, so it was recommended to discontinue its use and switch to manual sanitization until it was repaired. A dishwasher with inadequate sanitizer strength is a serious issue because it can leave dishes contaminated.
• Handwashing Mishaps: Inspectors saw employees touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands after handling soiled dishes, and some servers didn’t wash their hands before touching plated food. Proper handwashing is crucial in preventing the spread of germs and ensuring food safety.
• Soiled Surfaces: There was food debris, a mold-like substance, and slime on various food-contact surfaces, like a cutting board near the stone oven. Not ideal for a place that prides itself on pizza!
• Lack of Certified Manager: The inspection also revealed that there was no currently certified food service manager on duty, which is a requirement when four or more employees are involved in food preparation.

The Follow-Up:

The pizzeria was temporarily closed and there were follow-up inspectionson the 30th and 31st of July 20024.The pizzeria worked to address these issues, and has reopened. Cleanliness and proper food handling are key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

If you’ve had any experiences with food safety concerns or want to share your thoughts, drop a comment below. It’s always good to stay informed and make sure our favorite places are keeping their standards high!